CRACKERS, balloons, presents, jelly and ice cream and, of course, Santa are the ingredients of a good Christmas party.

And over the years, children in particular have had plenty of festive fun, as these pictures from the Oxford Mail archives show.

Picture 1 shows a happy crowd at Thame Fire Brigade Social Club’s children’s party in 1967. About 40 children enjoyed tea, games and a film show at the brigade headquarters.

Oxford Mail:

  • Picture 2

Seven-year-old twins Pamela, left, and Karen Timms, in Picture 2, were among 130 children at a party given by Smiths Industries at Witney in 1974.

Children and grandchildren of employees were invited. They watched a cartoon film show before sitting down to a party tea.

Money for the celebration was raised by staff, who ran a lunchtime tombola in the canteen.

Nearly 200 children attended the Oxford Post Office Sports and Social Club party at St James’s Hall, Cowley, in 1971.

Oxford Mail:

  • Picture 3

Claire Golsbury is seen in Picture 3 pouring drinks. The party included games, films and a visit from Santa and each child received a box of sweets and a present to take home.

Grandmother Mary Hibberd organised a party every year for children and grandchildren of members of the Royal British Legion in Wootton, near Abingdon.

Oxford Mail:

  • Picture 4

Picture 4 was taken in 1983 when 63 boys and girls sat down to a magnificent tea in the Legion hall.

Mrs Hibberd, of Sandleigh Road, Wootton, said: “I love doing it. I had five children of my own and always enjoyed doing parties for them.”

Oxford Mail:

  • Picture 5

In Picture 5, young guests make friends with a miniature Father Christmas at a party organised by the Saturday Morning Activities Club, known as Smack, at Wallingford in 1972.

Young club members played host to a group of Uganda Asians from Greenham Common, Berkshire.

Oxford Mail:

  • Picture 6

Picture 6 dates from 1973 and shows a child tucking into a plate of jelly at a party at Cowley community centre. If you know the identity of the youngster, please contact me at memory.lane @oxfordmail.co.uk

Memory Lane this week

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